Claim that community center employee choked 11-year-old boy under investigation

Syracuse, NY -- A claim that an 11-year-old boy was choked into unconsciousness Monday during an after-school program at the Northeast Community Center is being investigated by Syracuse police, the Northeast Community Center and the Syracuse City School district.

The person accused of choking the boy is an employee of both the community center and the school district. The accusation was brought by the boy’s mother.

“There was an incident we’re looking into,” said Tom Bazydlo, executive director of the Northeast Community Center.

“We’re following our agency procedures to investigate to see what happened and to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” Bazydlo said.

The accused community center employee is also employed with the city school district but was working for the community center at the time, said Michael Henessey, school district spokesman. The school district’s personnel department is looking into the allegations, he said.

A police investigation into the allegations is also taking place, Sgt. Tom Connellan confirmed.